Many people schedule an appointment with a chiropractor because they are experiencing back pain, or they were involved in an accident that left them feeling less mobile. Whatever your reasons for scheduling a chiropractic appointment, you will want to be prepared for the first appointment. While an initial visit is not challenging, it can be intimidating, especially when you have never experienced it before.
Review of Medical History
Your first chiropractic visit will probably start like any other medical visit with a patient history. The doctor of chiropractic will want to know about any past injuries or surgeries that could have resulted in your current pain. If you are not sure of how your current injury occurred, be honest. The chiropractor is not there to judge you; they are there to help and treat you.
Discussion of Symptoms
Once they understand your patient history, the chiropractor will want to get specific about your current injury. They will probably ask you to rate the level of pain and describe the feeling. They may also want you to show them how your movements are restricted. You want to be as clear and direct as possible during this part of the appointment, so your chiropractor fully understands the extent of your injury.
Physical and Imaging
After the discussions are over, the doctor of chiropractic will want to perform a routine physical. They will assess your range of motion and likely place their hands on the affected or injured areas to see if anything feels abnormal. If they cannot readily identify the issue, then the chiropractor may recommend further imaging, like an X-ray, to get a better vantage point of the damage.
Recommendation of a Treatment Plan
Once all of the questions and tests are complete, the chiropractor will determine a treatment plan for your injury. Depending on their decision, you may receive an adjustment that day. However, every patient is different, and your chiropractor may want to wait until the following week, especially if the treatment plan calls for extensive manipulations. It is also essential to understand that most treatment plans last a minimum of six weeks, which means you need to commit to the program to see the best results.
While many people are familiar with the benefits of chiropractic care, few understand what to expect from an initial visit. Contact a chiropractor, like from Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic, to schedule an appointment and discuss your symptoms.